Scholarly Peer-reviewed Articles
Our primary focus is on school-based outcome research but we interpret character development broadly and publish supporting materials in a number of areas:
- The research side of character education – quantitative or qualitative reports of a character education research program, focusing on research results;
- The method side of character education research – explanation and discussion of new or unusual educational practices, and/or critique of currently used research or evaluation methods and analysis techniques;
- The school side of character education – first person accounts, reflections, and advice from the field on organizational management, program implementation, community involvement, lessons learned;
- The philosophical side of character theory – reflection on the discourse used in character education, definitions, assumptions, arguments; exploring the philosophical tradition from which current incarnations of character and virtue stem;
- The moral psychology side of character development – models of character, of self, motivation, the development of reason, choice, learning, responsibility, identity formation, and healthy human development.
Case Studies
The JRCE is interested in publishing descriptions of exemplary whole school character education programs. Ideally, these schools would be nationally recognized for excellence (e.g., National Schools of Character). Due to the nature of the journal, such a review must highlight how the school’s program was assessed and the research evidence for effectiveness of the program. Case studies are not peer-reviewed.
VOICES from the Classroom
The JRCE tries to include in each issue one piece by an exemplary educator describing some practical perspective on the implementation of character education. These columns have been solicited but non-invited submissions will also be seriously considered.
Book / Media Reviews
Short reviews of books or other media related to character education. These opinion pieces may of any length and are reviewed in-house. Essay reviews, in which authors consider more than one book or other work of media, are also welcome.
Submission of manuscripts and correspondence with authors will ideally be done electronically. Articles and case studies should follow APA publishing standards. Manuscripts and inquiries can be sent to the editors at jrce@umsl.edu.
